Adding a stroke around a drawn object problem

[carlh65218891]

Good day,

I have drawn an object in Illustrator cc with the pen tool, copied it and flipped it horizontally. I have placed the mirrored images together and want to add a stroke around the outside only. I can't seem to merge the layers. I get a stroke going around the outside and down the middle. Is there a way I can do this? Please see attached image.

Many thanks.

[Ton Frederiks]

Group the 2 objects.

In the Appearance panel choose: Add New Stroke

Change the order by dragging the stroke below the Contents in the panel

[carlh65218891]

Ton,

Thank you for you speedy reply. It worked but if I expand the stroke I get a strange pointy shape at the bottom and flattened top. Please see pic.

[Eternal Warrior]

You need to join the paths together and get rid of the middle path.

[Eternal Warrior]

To do this I would first get rid of the stroke as that isn't helping right now and can be added in later..

Then I would with both sides of your shape selected use Pathfinder > Unite

Like so:

Then re-add the outside stroke once you have a complete path.

Of course if it didn't need to be 100% geometrical you could always take the pen tool > Clickity Clickity Click... > Add stroke > et Voila!! Magnifique!!

Best,

EW

[Ton Frederiks]

Choose Round Join in the Stroke Options.

Or even better, before adding the stroke to the 2 objects, make it one object by dragging over them with the Shape Builder tool (Shify M)

[Eternal Warrior · Accepted solution]

To further clarify Ton Frederiks​ point you need to choose these options:

[Eternal Warrior]

Think you deserved this more but I marked your answers as helpful!

[Ton Frederiks]

Glad it solved your problem.

[carlh65218891]

I should just like to say a huge thank you to both you Gentlemen. Unite and round stroke solved my problem. Beer time

Thank you once again both Ton and Eternal.

[Eternal Warrior]

Enjoy a cold one